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We must do more to encourage girls to pursue science careers

By Josephine Cheng

Posted:
08/19/2008 01:32:50 AM PDT

A recent study in the journal Science showcased some very promising results: Girls are measuring up to boys in math from grades two through 11. Yet there is clearly room for growth in the number of young women exploring technology and science as career paths.

Women have always worked in the field of science but may not have been recognized for their accomplishments. While women have been the minds behind many scientific breakthroughs, science remains a male-dominated field. And though we're doing better, it's still quite evident that we can improve.

There are still more male engineers, computer scientists and physical scientists than female. But many women have made, and continue to make, a tremendous impact on technology.

Some of the greatest innovations have come from women. For example, Grace Murray Hopper invented the first computer compiler in 1952. This technology is better known as the computer language system, a huge breakthrough that made it possible for programmers to write English words to code computers. In 1991, Hopper became the first woman, as an individual, to receive the National Medal of Technology.

Ada Lovelace, known as "the enchantress of numbers," worked with another mathematician to devise a method of programming based on the cards used on the Jacquard loom - an input system. She also anticipated the development of artificial intelligence and computer-generated music.

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The 2008 inductees to Women in Technology International's Hall of Fame include women from across the world whose projects range from embedded sensing systems to middleware and software competency. Two inductees stand out: Dr. Susan P. Fischer-Hoch and Mary Lou Jepsen, who have combined their work with humanitarian efforts.

Their projects on disease control and eradication and the world's greenest laptop, respectively, are the types of projects that display not only the intelligence of these women but their sense of caring.

So why aren't more girls drawn toward careers in science? In many cases, the antiquated perception that girls aren't as good at math and science as boys continues to pervade our schools. But many companies, schools and role models are working hard to change this image.

IBM holds science and technology summer camps for girls. A recent camp held at IBM's Almaden Research Center and Silicon Valley Lab, both in San Jose, was geared toward middle-school-age girls and featured activities such as forensics, building a personal computer, green technology and DNA extraction.

The activities were all hands-on and were tied to real life situations, such as seeing the DNA of a strawberry. The goal? To demonstrate that science is fun and a worthy career path.

Nerd Girls, a club founded by women engineering students at Tuft's University, is also working to dispel the stereotype. Its aim is to show that young women can be athletic, fun, outgoing, yet extremely intelligent in science and math: Geek is chic, and smart is sexy.

Thanks to such innovative programs, more young women are taking on careers in science and technology, but there is more to be done. There must be a continual push - more technology camps, and more organizations like Nerd Girls to encourage young women to choose science and technology as their career paths.

JOSEPHINE CHENG is an IBM Fellow and vice president and lab director at the IBM Almaden Research Center.